What is a CCC, Certified Canadian Counsellor???

The term Counsellor may apply to a number of occupations so it can sometimes be confusing to know what a counsellor’s qualifications may be. However, a Certificated Canadian Counsellor is a highly qualified mental health professional whose credentials have been evaluated and approved by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).

The CCPA was founded in 1965 and is dedicated to the enhancement of the counselling profession in Canada. The Association’s services include a nationally recognized certification process for professional counsellors that enable them to obtain the trademarked designation of Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC). CCPA is the largest national non-statutory, self-regulatory body for the counselling profession in Canada. They have over 5,500 members across the country who may be working in education, employment and career development, social work, business, industry, mental health, public service agencies, government and private practice.

COVERAGE: Check with your insurance provider about whether or not counselling services are covered by your plan. Often insurers will cover a certain amount of sessions with a Registered Social Worker (RSW), Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC), or Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC). 

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REGISTERED CLINICAL COUNSELLOR (RCC) AND CANADIAN CERTIFIED COUNSELLOR (CCC): The requirements to become an RCC or a CCC are identical, the only difference being that RCC’s are part of a provincial association, whereas CCC’s are part of a national association. If your plan does not cover the services of a Canadian Certified Counsellor, please let me know and I can advocate for coverage through my professional association. 

Some Insurance plans and policies have stipulated that services provided by Canadian Certified Counsellors are not eligible for reimbursement. As such, if you are planning to submit your receipts for reimbursement to your insurer, I strongly encourage you to contact your insurer ahead of time, before your first session, to confirm that your specific plan covers the services of a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC).